Overview

Dr. Roger Rosenberg has organized and will co-chair with Dr. Clifford Saper, the American Neurological Association (ANA) symposium on “Circuits and Circuit Disorders: Approaches to Neuromodulation” at the 140th Annual Meeting of the ANA in September in Chicago.Drs. Rosenberg and Saper are editors, respectively, of the co-sponsoring journals, JAMA Neurology and Annals of Neurology,

Dr. Shilpa Chitnis, Dr. Svjetlana Miocinovic (first author) and colleagues in the movement disorders program have published the first paper that explains the mechanism of interleaving in deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat Parkinson disease, tremor and dystonia. Interleaving is a novel programming technique available with the relatively new DBS batteries. Read more.

The ANA SPAC is responsible for determining the educational activities included in the formal program of the Annual Meeting - See more at: http://myana.org/about-committees/scientific-program-advisory-committee#sthash.HoncvCCH.dpuf The

The ANA SPAC is responsible for determining the educational activities included in the formal program of the Annual Meeting - See more at: http://myana.org/about-committees/scientific-program-advisory-committee#sthash.HoncvCCH.dpuf

The ANA SPAC is responsible for determining the educational activities included in the formal program of the Annual Meeting - See more at: http://myana.org/about-committees/scientific-program-advisory-committee#sthash.HoncvCCH.dpuf

The ANA SPAC is responsible for determining the educational activities included in the formal program of the Annual Meeting - See more at: http://myana.org/about-committees/scientific-program-advisory-committee#sthash.HoncvCCH.dpuf

Added December 11, 2014 -

Debra Clamp, CMPE, Neurology Clinic Manager, has achieved board certification in medical practice management. Debra participated in a rigorous training program to earn the professional designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) by the American College of Medical Practice Executives.

Shilpa Chitnis, M.D., Ph.D., was one of two people chosen as facilitators for a leadership training program called MDS LEAP sponsored by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Dr. Chitnis will help train young neurologists to take on leadership roles early in their careers.

Drs. Roger Rosenberg and Juan Pascual are co-editors of the latest edition of Rosenberg's Molecular and Genetic Basis of Neurologic and Psychiatric Disease. The textbook provides a comprehensive introduction and reference to the foundations and key practical aspects relevant to the majority of neurologic and psychiatric disease. It will be released in November 2014.

DaiWai Olson, Ph.D., R.N., was chosen as a fellow of the Neurocritical Care Society. Dr. Olson is only the second nurse to receive this honor. The Neurocritical Care Society has a worldwide membership of healthcare professionals and is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with life-threatening neurological illnesses.

Darin Okuda, M.D. and his colleagues conducting a multi-national study found that individuals with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) are at risk for a first clinical attack related to demyelination within the central nervous system; the risk appears to be predicated on age, sex, and the presence of cervical or thoracic spinal cord lesions.

Divyanshu Dubey, M.D., neurology resident, presented two papers at the 2014 International Stroke Conference. Dr. Dubey's work research focused on a combination therapy for ischemic stroke and smartphone applications for stroke.

Lectures

Dr. Roger Rosenberg has organized and will co-chair with Dr. Clifford Saper, the American Neurological Association (ANA) symposium on “Circuits and Circuit Disorders: Approaches to Neuromodulation” at the 140th Annual Meeting of the ANA in September in Chicago.Drs. Rosenberg and Saper are editors, respectively, of the co-sponsoring journals, JAMA Neurology and Annals of Neurology,

Dr. Puneet Gupta gave a platform talk at the Second Neurocritical Care Research Conference. He delivered the lecture, "Electrophysiology: EEG and Evoked Potentials" at the Neurocritical Care Society's annual meeting in May 2012.

Drs. Shilpa Chitnis, Cherian Karunapuzha and Shin C. Beh (Josh) will present a poster at the American Neurological Association (ANA) annual meeting in San Diego titled, "Co-existing HTT and ATXN80S repeat expansions and a "face of the giant panda" sign on MRI in a patient with a complex movement disorder."

Grants

Ann Stowe, Ph.D., received a Scientist Development Grant from the American Heart Association. Dr. Stowe's lab is investigating mechanisms of injury and recovery following damage to the central nervous system.

Drs. Srikanth Muppidi, Shilpa Chitnis and Steven Vernino were awarded an educational grant from Teva Neurosciences.Dr. Muppidi says the grant will be used to fund educational activities for the residency program including recording of noon lectures, supplies for residents, journal clubs and resident awards.

Craig Powell, MD, PhD, has been awarded a new grant from the Autism Speaks foundation. The two-year award will fund ongoing advanced studies on the molecular mechanisms and potential treatments for autism using genetic animal models.

Awards

Shilpa Chitnis, M.D., Ph.D., was one of two people chosen as facilitators for a leadership training program called MDS LEAP sponsored by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. Dr. Chitnis will help train young neurologists to take on leadership roles early in their careers.

DaiWai Olson, Ph.D., R.N., was chosen as a fellow of the Neurocritical Care Society. Dr. Olson is only the second nurse to receive this honor. The Neurocritical Care Society has a worldwide membership of healthcare professionals and is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with life-threatening neurological illnesses.

Christiana Hall, M.D., is one of only twenty-three people chosen worldwide for the first group of fellows of the Neurocritical Care Society. The designation recognizes exceptional service, academic excellence, and leadership in the field of neurocritical care.

Diana Logan, A.P.N., won the Strauss Service Award for her dedication, compassion and strong work ethic. Diana is the leader of the Total Life Care program in the MS Clinic. The Strauss award is given to eight UT Southwestern clinic employees annually.

Neurology resident Justin Jordan, MD, is the winner of the first annual American Academy of Neurology Patient Safety Award. Jordan received the award at the AAN Annual Meeting in New Orleans for his research poster titled "Evaluating the Safety and Success of Inpatient Lumbar Punctures in a Changing Academic Environment."

Congratulations to Maria Grosch, Clinical Psychology Graduate Student, who is the 2012 recipient of the Ida M. Green Award. Grosch has conducted her research under mentor C. Munro Cullum,PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology and Neurotherapeutics. The award is given to a female graduate student who demonstrates scholastic excellence in her field of research. Read more about Grosch's research.

Hiring & Promotions

Debra Clamp, CMPE, Neurology Clinic Manager, has achieved board certification in medical practice management. Debra participated in a rigorous training program to earn the professional designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) by the American College of Medical Practice Executives.

Congratulations to Dr. Steven Vernino who has been appointed the next holder of the Dr. Bob and Jean Smith Foundation Distinguished Chair in Neuromuscular Disease. Dr. Vernino is professor of neurology and neurotherapeutics and director of the neurology residency program.

Dr. Jessica Lee has been appointed Medical Director of Neurology Services for University Hospitals. Dr. Lee is an assistant professor of neurology and neurotherapeutics and Medical Director of the Acute Stroke Unit at Zale.

Chair Mark Goldberg, M.D., has named Ms. Wathen Strong Department Manager, effective August 15. Wathen previously served at UT Southwestern as Billing Operations Manager and Orthopedic Surgery Clinic Manager, and has worked most recently at Baylor Health Care. Many thanks to Matt Stowe, Research Programs Manager, who has served as Interim Manager since March!

Publications

Dr. Shilpa Chitnis, Dr. Svjetlana Miocinovic (first author) and colleagues in the movement disorders program have published the first paper that explains the mechanism of interleaving in deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat Parkinson disease, tremor and dystonia. Interleaving is a novel programming technique available with the relatively new DBS batteries. Read more.

Drs. Roger Rosenberg and Juan Pascual are co-editors of the latest edition of Rosenberg's Molecular and Genetic Basis of Neurologic and Psychiatric Disease. The textbook provides a comprehensive introduction and reference to the foundations and key practical aspects relevant to the majority of neurologic and psychiatric disease. It will be released in November 2014.

Darin Okuda, M.D. and his colleagues conducting a multi-national study found that individuals with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) are at risk for a first clinical attack related to demyelination within the central nervous system; the risk appears to be predicated on age, sex, and the presence of cervical or thoracic spinal cord lesions.

Divyanshu Dubey, M.D., neurology resident, presented two papers at the 2014 International Stroke Conference. Dr. Dubey's work research focused on a combination therapy for ischemic stroke and smartphone applications for stroke.

Susan Iannaccone, M.D.'s, clinical trial of a drug for children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) has had promising results. The drug manufacturer, ISIS Pharmaceuticals, reported the drug was well-tolerated at all dose levels and improved disease characteristics. Phase 3 trials are planned for later this year.

Dr. Deborah Friedman wrote an editorial in JAMA about brain lesions found in women who suffer from migraines. The editorial was picked up by CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, WebMD, and The Huffington Post.

Congratulations to residents Justin T. Jordan, MD, and Gincy Samuel, MD, and faculty Steven Vernino, MD, PhD, and Srikanth Muppidi, MD on the fourth published CPC case of the year to come out of our Neurology Residency Program.

Transitions

Dr. Ramon Diaz-Arrastia becomes Director of Clinical Research at the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He remains as an Adjunct Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics at UT Southwestern.

Dr. Mohammad Khalid, Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, has agreed to serve as primary teaching attending for the neurology consult service at University Hospital – St. Paul, from September 2011 through January 2012. Dr. Khalid will continue his private practice of neurology at St. Paul.

Dr. John Bertelson, Assistant Professor of Neurology at UTSW – Austin, is taking a one-year leave of absence to complete a fellowship in neuro-imaging. Dr. Deborah Briggs will serve as Interim Program Director in Austin.